H*3750 Resolution, By McKay, M.O. Alexander, Anderson, Askins, Bailey, 
R.A. Barber, J.M. Baxley, Boan, G. Brown, J. Brown, A.W. Byrd, Canty, Cooper, 
L.L. Elliott, T.L. Farr, B.H. Harwell, J. Hines, J.H. Hodges, W.S. Houck, 
Kennedy, W.D. Keyserling, M.H. Kinon, J.G. Mattos, McCraw, McMahand, J.H. Neal, 
Neilson, Phillips, Riser, T.F. Rogers, J.J. Snow, Wilkins, Witherspoon and 
Young-Brickell
 A House Resolution to support T. S. Ragsdale Co., Inc., a privately owned
 company and one of the largest taxpayers in Florence County, as the commission
 buyer on the South Carolina flue-cured and burley tobacco markets.

   03/23/93  House  Introduced HJ-7
   03/23/93  House  Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-7
   04/22/93  House  Committee report: Favorable Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-4
   04/28/93  House  Adopted HJ-33

April 22, 1993

H. 3750

Introduced by REPS. McKay, Keyserling, Rogers, M.O. Alexander, Mattos, Hodges, Anderson, Phillips, McMahand, McCraw, Askins, Canty, G. Brown, G. Bailey, J. Brown, Witherspoon, Hines, Harwell, Neal, Farr, Elliott, A. Young, Wilkins, Houck, Boan, Snow, Neilson, Cooper, Kennedy, Baxley, Kinon, Byrd, Riser and Barber

S. Printed 4/22/93--H.

Read the first time March 23, 1993.

To whom was referred a House Resolution (H. 3750), to support T.S. Ragsdale Co., Inc., a privately owned company and one of the largest taxpayers in Florence County, etc., respectfully

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

THOMAS N. RHOAD, for Committee.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION

TO SUPPORT T. S. RAGSDALE CO., INC., A PRIVATELY OWNED COMPANY AND ONE OF THE LARGEST TAXPAYERS IN FLORENCE COUNTY, AS THE COMMISSION BUYER ON THE SOUTH CAROLINA FLUE-CURED AND BURLEY TOBACCO MARKETS.

Whereas, the members of the House of Representatives are concerned with the removal of T.S. Ragsdale Co., Inc., as the commission buyer on the South Carolina flue-cured and burley tobacco market; and

Whereas, T.S. Ragsdale Co., Inc., is the only South Carolina processing company and also one of the last small dealers in the United States to supply quality tobacco worldwide with a reputation for quality, service, and workmanship; and

Whereas, Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. (Export Leaf Tobacco Co.) of Louisville, Kentucky decided to use a North Carolina commission buyer instead of T.S. Ragsdale Co., Inc. The yearly economic loss to T.S. Ragsdale Co., Inc., will greatly affect not only this South Carolina business but will have a severe impact on South Carolina tobacco markets; and

Whereas, T. S. Ragsdale Co., Inc., began in 1939 under the leadership of T. S. Ragsdale, Sr. The company has tripled in size and is a large contributor to the quality of life in the Pee Dee area with it being one of the largest taxpayers in Florence County occupying about two million square feet of space and providing about 350 seasonal (June through February) jobs and 40 full-time jobs in the Pee Dee area; and

Whereas, in 1984, the General Assembly supported legislation that provides that inventories of unmanufactured tobacco stored in South Carolina's tobacco warehouses for shipment to a manufacturer in another state is not considered property used in this State and would not be taxed. In the event T. S. Ragsdale Co., Inc., is not reinstated as the commission buyer for Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. (Export Leaf Tobacco Company), in view of South Carolina's dire budgetary problems, it is highly feasible that this legislation will be repealed. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the House of Representatives support the only South Carolina tobacco processing company and one of the last small dealers in the United States as the commission buyer for Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. (Export Leaf Tobacco Company).

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mr. T. E. Sandefur, Jr., President and CEO, Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp., 1500 Brown & Williamston Tower, Louisville, KY 40232; T. S. Ragsdale Co., Inc., Lake City, SC; and to the members of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation.